'Tawagin niyo ang Malacañang': Pia Cayetano blasts Senate majority for changing impeach trial rules

[0:00] Rebut for two minutes and then we will make the final ruling. [0:02] Before I rebut, I'm from Ateneo Law School and what they taught us there is that you [0:09] look at the records of the Constitutional Commission and then pagklaro, klaro. [0:14] But let's call someone from UP law to see whether they were taught the same thing. [0:19] Senator Pia, may I ask that Senator Pia be recognized before I get by two minutes? [0:21] May you recognize the gentlelady from Taguig, Senator Pia Cayetano. [0:25] Thank you, Mr. President. It's not an Ateneo UP issue, but I'm always happy to stand before our colleagues [0:43] and share our experience in the UP College of Law. [0:48] I was prepared to address this to all our members of the bar in the Senate, [0:52] but since it is Senator Kiko, my schoolmate, my teammate actually in the UP volleyball varsity team who stood up, [0:58] I'll also specifically address it to Senator Kiko. [1:01] So, dear Senator Kiko, and our colleagues in the majority, [1:07] knowing that you have members in the majority that are lawyers, [1:12] and for those who are not lawyers, you definitely have consultants who are lawyers. [1:18] Wala naman siguro ni isang senador dito na walang consultant na abogado, [1:22] kahit ako abogado, ang dami kong staff na abogado din. [1:28] Why? Because these are legal issues. [1:30] We need to talk to the experts. [1:31] Kung pag-uusapan natin ang mental health, physical health ng Vice President, [1:40] then of course we will not listen to lawyers. [1:42] We will listen to doctors, di ba? [1:44] So this is a legal issue. [1:45] Let's hear what the lawyers have to say. [1:47] But let me just quote, because I know the Senate President doesn't have time to call on all the lawyers. [1:52] So if you ask your lawyers and your staff, I'm sure nag-abala sila to look at the constitutional records, [2:02] to look at the journal. [2:03] I'm sure. [2:05] And if they did not, please take your cell phone now and text your staff. [2:10] What does the constitutional journal, the records of the debate show? [2:15] Sinabi na po ni Senator Alan Cayetano, you can question him. [2:19] You can doubt him. [2:20] Ask your staff. [2:21] May I ask you, dear colleagues, let's do our job well. [2:25] The same way when you stand up and you tell me to do my job well, [2:28] and you disagree, I disagree with your point of view, [2:30] I will listen intently to your point of view. [2:33] And I'm looking at each one of you, because this is our solemn duty. [2:36] What does the Constitution say? [2:40] Nakalagay doon, the Chief Justice, pag the President. [2:44] Silent nga po sa iba. [2:47] So sabi ng iba, at yan ang sinasabi ng Senate President natin na mukhang pwedeng iba. [2:54] So we looked at what the constitutional framers said. [2:58] What did they see? [2:59] Nag-debate na po sila, colleagues. [3:02] Nag-debate tayo dito. [3:04] Pag sinabi ng sponsor, ito na yung paliwanag. [3:07] Yung nag-i-interpolate at nagbibigay ng amendment, sinasabi niya, [3:10] Ah, okay. [3:11] Yung pala paliwanag mo, okay na ako. [3:13] No need to amend. [3:15] Yun at yun din ang sinabi. [3:16] Let's place ourselves in that position. [3:20] Because that happens to us every day. [3:22] Every day. [3:24] Somebody stands up and says, [3:26] Ano ibig sabihin nito? [3:29] And the sponsor will explain. [3:30] Pag hindi maliwanag, [3:32] sasabihin yung nag-i-interpolate or nag-a-amend, [3:34] ay papa-amend ko kasi hindi maliwanag [3:37] or I want to improve it. [3:39] Pero kung nagka-aintindihan naman, [3:42] okay na. [3:43] Eh yun nga yung binasa, [3:45] tanongin nyo naman po yung staff nyo. [3:48] Or let's pause, [3:49] let's all get a copy. [3:50] Let's show it. [3:53] Because this is the foundation of this trial [3:55] na tama yung nakaupong presiding officer. [3:58] So that's my first point. [4:00] Mag-abala naman tayo. [4:03] Read it yourself, [4:04] ask your staff to print a copy. [4:05] In fact, on that note, [4:07] may I ask Senator Allen's staff [4:08] to print a copy [4:09] and give it to all our colleagues. [4:11] Mabilis lang yan. [4:12] Hindi na yan mapapatagalan. [4:13] Show it. [4:15] We can take judicial notice naman po, [4:17] siguro of it. [4:17] Siguro naman, [4:18] alam na natin ang ibig sabihin ng judicial notice. [4:21] You can go to the actual records. [4:23] Nandito na makakuha naman natin yun [4:24] kung pagdududahin nyo yung ipapaprint ko. [4:27] So that's my first point. [4:32] My second point, Mr. President, [4:34] is address to his honor. [4:36] If his honor will insist [4:39] that we have to call a regular session, [4:42] we have to be in session [4:43] to amend the impeachment rules. [4:47] Eh di, tawagan nyo po ang Malacanang. [4:49] Nagpa-special session naman po siya, [4:51] di ba, with all due respect, [4:52] to pass the National Orchid Law. [4:55] To pass... [4:56] What else? [4:57] Anong tatlo yun eh? [4:58] O nga, yun nga. [4:59] Yung Waling-Waling as National Orchid, [5:00] ano pa yung dalawa? [5:02] No, I'm questioning it. [5:04] I'm saying that there was a special session [5:06] called to pass three laws. [5:08] Naalala ko yung Waling-Waling [5:09] because I love it. [5:10] This is important. [5:11] O ano pa yung dalawa? [5:13] Unfortunately, hindi ko na maalala. [5:16] Dalawang naturalization. [5:17] Sports-minded po tayo. [5:19] Love po natin yun. [5:19] Nagkaroon ba ng laban [5:20] between now and July [5:22] para mag-special session tayo para doon? [5:24] Hindi ko alam. [5:25] But in any case, [5:26] ito ang importante ito, di ba? [5:28] Eh di kong pa-i-insist nyo [5:30] na yung impeachment amendment na yun [5:32] kailangan gawin yung special session. [5:34] Eh, mapapatawag tayo ng special session. [5:36] Mukha namang very supportive naman [5:38] ang Malacanang sa majority. [5:40] Di ho ba? [5:42] Pero I take the position that [5:43] we are in impeachment court. [5:46] We are already in impeachment court. [5:48] Therefore, the amendments [5:49] must happen here. [5:50] Medyo common sense din naman po yan. [5:52] Eras my case, [5:53] yun lang po. [5:53] But as soon as the copies come, [5:55] I will give it to you, [5:56] colleagues. [5:58] Look at it. [5:58] Huwag tayong majority-minority botohan. [6:01] Ayusin natin yung pagboboto natin [6:02] dahil pinapanood tayo, [6:04] pinapaniwalaan tayo, [6:05] umaasa sa atin ang taong bayan. [6:07] Marami salamat po. [6:08] Once again, it is, [6:11] again, before I, [6:12] the chair rules, [6:14] let me acknowledge [6:15] a former Senate President, [6:17] Senator Tito Soto. [6:19] Thank you, Mr. President. [6:20] Tama-tama yung sinabi [6:23] yung distinguished lady from Taguig. [6:25] Talangin daw yung mga legal staff. [6:27] Binigay nga sa akin ng legal staff po. [6:29] Eksakto nga ito eh. [6:31] Article 11, Section 6, [6:33] Page 154. [6:35] Constitution is silent [6:36] regarding presiding officer [6:38] of Senate impeachment. [6:41] However, [6:42] expressly provide, [6:43] the Constitution expressly provides [6:45] that the chief justice [6:47] will preside [6:48] if president is on trial. [6:50] O ngayon, [6:51] yung mga graduate ng Ateneo [6:52] at saka ng mga UP, [6:54] eto ngayon yung legal maxim, [6:56] expressio urnius [6:58] et exclusio alterius. [7:01] In other words, [7:02] the express mention of one thing [7:04] is the exclusion of another. [7:07] Palagay ko, [7:08] nahintindihan yung lahat ngayon yan. [7:09] Eto, etong akin, [7:10] sa publiko yun sa akin. [7:13] Ang sinasabi ng publiko ngayon, [7:15] nanonood sa atin, [7:17] dapat you should not [7:18] resort in too much technicalities [7:20] kasi ang public interest [7:22] ang iniisip nila rito eh. [7:23] They want to expedite [7:24] the proceedings. [7:26] They want the trial, [7:27] not rules. [7:28] They're interested in the trial, [7:30] not rules. [7:31] In the interest of justice, [7:34] eh sabi nga nila, [7:35] sometimes rules are not [7:37] sacrosan. [7:39] But, [7:39] itong mangyayari nga yun dito, [7:42] bahay, [7:43] ang publiko, [7:45] ang importante dito. [7:46] Where does the Constitution [7:48] emanate from? [7:49] From the public. [7:50] From the people of the Republic. [7:52] So, [7:54] disisyon na nyo na to, [7:55] Mr. [7:55] President, [7:55] para matapos na. [7:56] Mr. President, [7:57] can I have my two minutes? [7:58] The, [7:59] once again, [8:01] let me reiterate [8:02] the position of the Chair. [8:03] My humble position [8:04] is that [8:05] this matter [8:06] should be discussed [8:07] during plenary [8:08] when the Senate [8:10] is convened [8:11] as a legislative body. [8:13] And, [8:14] may I ask [8:15] the gentleman [8:15] from Taguig [8:16] if he is [8:17] objecting [8:18] to this position? [8:19] I'm objecting [8:20] the position [8:20] and will call [8:21] for a vote. [8:21] May I explain? [8:22] I think under the rules [8:23] I can explain [8:24] why I'm asking [8:24] for a vote. [8:24] We'll call [8:25] for a vote first [8:26] and then we'll [8:28] allow... [8:30] Mr. President, [8:30] under the rules [8:31] I can explain [8:31] why I'm calling [8:32] for a vote first [8:33] so that I can [8:34] convince them [8:34] to vote for me. [8:36] No, [8:36] under the rules [8:37] there's an objection [8:39] the vote will proceed [8:42] without any explanation [8:43] and after that [8:45] we will allow [8:46] the gentleman [8:48] from Taguig [8:49] to explain his vote. [8:50] Sir President, [8:51] when... [8:51] We call for a [8:54] division of the House. [8:56] So those [8:57] who are... [8:59] Sir President, [9:01] Sir President, [9:02] when you object [9:03] you're allowed [9:03] to explain [9:04] your objection [9:05] and state [9:06] your objection. [9:06] is recognized. [9:10] Thank you. [9:11] Your Honours, [9:12] pursuant to Rule 2 [9:13] of the rules [9:14] of procedures [9:15] on impeachment trials [9:17] as amended [9:18] I move to elect [9:20] Senator Judge [9:21] Francis [9:22] Joseph Guevara [9:25] Escudero [9:25] as the [9:26] presiding officer [9:27] of this impeachment [9:29] score. [9:30] Objection, [9:30] Mr. President, [9:31] and may I allow [9:32] to... [9:32] We proceed... [9:32] We proceed... [9:33] Objection, [9:33] Mr. President, [9:34] I'm allowed to object [9:35] and I'm allowed [9:35] to explain [9:36] your objection. [9:37] You're allowed [9:37] to object [9:38] but we will [9:38] proceed with [9:39] the division [9:40] of the House. [9:40] So those [9:41] who are... [9:42] Point of order, [9:43] Mr. President. [9:43] Those who are [9:43] in favor [9:44] of the motion [9:47] of Senator Laxon, [9:49] please raise your hand. [9:53] We will vote [9:53] by raising of hands. [9:55] So those [9:57] who are in favor [9:58] of the motion [10:00] of Senator Laxon [10:02] electing [10:02] Senator Chief Escudero [10:04] as the presiding [10:05] officer, [10:06] please raise your hand. [10:10] The clerk of court [10:10] is directed [10:11] to count [10:12] the votes. [10:18] Explain my vote, [10:43] Mr. President. [10:44] Hold on. [10:44] Let's allow [10:45] the chair [10:45] to make a ruling. [10:48] Those who are [10:50] against the motion [10:51] of Senator Laxon [10:52] electing [10:52] Senator Chief Escudero [10:55] as the presiding [10:56] officer, [10:56] please raise your hand. [11:27] The official count [11:28] is 12 in favor, [11:31] 8 against. [11:34] The majority, [11:36] those who are [11:38] in favor, [11:40] has it. [11:40] The court [11:43] resolves [11:44] to elect [11:44] Senator Chief Escudero [11:45] as presiding [11:46] officer [11:46] of the impeachment [11:47] court. [11:48] The duly elected [11:49] presiding officer [11:50] shall, [11:51] under the same [11:51] oath taken [11:52] on May 18, [11:53] 2026, [11:54] immediately assume [11:55] and exercise [11:56] all powers, [11:57] functions, [11:58] duties, [11:58] and prerogatives [11:59] pertaining to [12:00] or vested [12:01] in a person [12:02] presiding [12:02] over the impeachment [12:03] trial [12:03] under the rules [12:06] of procedure [12:07] on impeachment [12:08] trials, [12:08] as amended [12:09] and shall give [12:10] full effect [12:11] to the powers [12:12] inherent to the courts [12:13] under Rule 135, [12:15] Section 5 [12:16] of the rules [12:16] of the court. [12:19] Sir President, [12:20] may I now explain [12:20] my vote? [12:21] You are allowed [12:21] to explain your vote. [12:22] You have two minutes. [12:23] First of all, [12:25] we cannot violate [12:26] the Constitution. [12:27] We put the whole [12:28] impeachment trial [12:29] at risk here. [12:31] What Senator Tito Soto, [12:33] former Senate President, [12:34] what his staff [12:35] did not tell him [12:36] is that there is [12:36] such a thing [12:37] as procedural [12:38] due process [12:39] and that who presides [12:41] goes into [12:43] due process [12:45] and fairness. [12:46] The Latin term [12:48] that he mentioned [12:49] was for enumerations, [12:51] that when there are [12:51] enumerations [12:52] at Hindi Kasaledon, [12:53] in this case [12:54] there was [12:55] a statement [12:56] that in only one case [12:58] it would be [13:00] the Chief Justice [13:03] because [13:03] member of the [13:06] Constitutional Commission [13:07] who became [13:08] Chief Justice, [13:09] Davide, [13:10] was going to amend [13:10] precisely the Constitution [13:13] to state [13:13] the Senate [13:14] President shall preside, [13:15] but upon explanation [13:17] by the sponsor [13:20] that it is understood [13:22] that it is [13:24] the Senate President [13:26] then it should be [13:26] the Senate President [13:27] and [13:28] dun sa sinabi [13:29] ni Senate President [13:30] Soto that [13:31] ang gusto ng tao [13:33] ay mag-umpisa na. [13:35] Precisely, [13:35] kanina pa dapat tayo [13:36] nag-umpisa [13:37] kung nag-preside [13:38] ang Senate President. [13:40] Secondly, [13:41] this is [13:41] when you have [13:42] threshold issues, [13:43] issues that go [13:44] into due process [13:45] fairness, [13:47] if we're going to say [13:47] that ang gusto ng tao [13:48] i-convict na lang, [13:49] then let's just [13:50] blurt it out. [13:53] Now, [13:53] if we're going to say [13:54] we want a fair trial, [13:55] let's make sure [13:56] that every aspect [13:57] of this trial [13:58] is fair. [13:59] So that's why, [14:00] Mr. President, [14:00] if you read the rules, [14:03] the presiding officer [14:04] shall have the power [14:05] to make an issue [14:05] by himself [14:06] or by the Secretary [14:07] of the Senate [14:07] all orders, [14:09] mandates, [14:09] writs, [14:10] authorized by these [14:11] rules of the Senate [14:12] and make and enforce [14:13] such other regulations, [14:15] orders, [14:15] premises [14:16] that the Senate [14:16] may authorize [14:17] or provide. [14:20] Nandito din, [14:20] Mr. President, [14:22] that the Senate [14:23] President may [14:24] by himself [14:24] or, [14:29] bottom line, [14:29] Mr. President, [14:32] pwedeng mag-decide [14:32] ang Senate President [14:33] o sa atin. [14:35] And, [14:35] Mr. President, [14:35] there are issues [14:36] that goes into fairness. [14:39] You know, [14:39] the AMLA will be [14:40] a witness here. [14:43] And I have information [14:44] that the 20 years [14:46] AMLA records [14:47] of Senator Escudero [14:49] and his credit cards [14:51] and bank accounts [14:52] were all opened up [14:53] in the office [14:54] of the Senate President [14:55] where members [14:56] of the Blue Ribbon [14:57] Committee was here. [14:59] Then we're going [14:59] to ask him to preside. [15:02] So there's a problem [15:03] with, [15:03] this is my explanation. [15:05] This is my explanation. [15:06] To the gentleman, [15:08] to the gentleman [15:08] from the game. [15:08] This is factual [15:09] and this is my explanation. [15:11] So I will stop there. [15:12] With all due respect, [15:13] your statement's [15:14] already out of order. [15:16] It has nothing to do [15:17] with the topic on hand. [15:19] No, Mr. President. [15:20] And the presiding officer [15:21] will strike off [15:22] the... [15:22] It has all to do [15:24] with this... [15:24] It has all to do. [15:26] I do not... [15:27] Mr. President... [15:28] Pertaining to [15:29] Senator Escudero. [15:30] Mr. President, [15:31] I direct the stenographers [15:33] to strike off [15:33] these statements. [15:34] He is the victim here. [15:36] I'm not doubting him. [15:37] I'm not doubting [15:38] he will be fair. [15:40] I'm saying... [15:40] We will... [15:41] We will suspend [15:42] the session [15:43] for a few minutes [15:44] to request [15:45] the presiding officer, [15:47] Senator Chief Escudero, [15:49] to ascend the roast room. [15:50] Session suspended. [15:51] Mr. President, [15:52] on this issue... [15:54] Still on this issue.